﻿ "Havi﻿ng recently graduated college, I had many questions about the field
of lighting as it applies to the New York/regional scale and style of
theatre. McMills offers a wonderfully comprehensive guide which provides
the expectations required of an assistant, a thorough step-by-step
breakdown of the production process and the assistant's role during each
step. It is evident from the extensive list of contributing lighting
designers listed in the appendix that her information from many years of
experience is supported by some of the most prominent designers and
associates in the industry.

This book helped demystify many items
regarding industry standards, how to organize/create paperwork, and
other relevant aspects of the tech process. There are plenty of
diagrams, examples of paperwork, lists, definitions, quotes from other
designers and assistants that make this guide truly unique. Aside from
Craig Miller's article "A Guide for Assistant Lighting Designers: Some
Modestly Proffered Notes" written for Theatre Crafts magazine in 1989,
there are no other written resources on the specific subject of
assisting.

I highly recommend this to young aspiring designers
and assistant designers who wish to know more of what to expect
following graduation. I would also recommend it to be a required reading
of all major conservatories or other programs that teach lighting
design in some capacity. There is little more to ask after reading this.
One should be able to go straight to work with a greater sense of
confidence and a better understanding and appreciation for the art of
assisting."﻿ - ﻿N﻿﻿ik﻿﻿

﻿ "As soon as I heard about Anne McMills' book, I pre-ordered my copy. I
was so excited to see a publication covering such an important part of
our industry that has, until now, not been written about. As a lighting
design student, it was particularly interesting to get more insight
into the world of being a professional lighting designer - a viable
career option for many lighting students today. The book did more than
just explain what an ALD's job is, it also includes helpful hints and
tips to make you a "Rockstar Assistant". I definitely think Anne's book
helped me as both an ALD and as a lighting designer as well. As I
start out my professional career, I will be my own
assistant/electrician/programmer for some shows, and knowing how to step
outside of being the "designer" and handle the "assistant" jobs on the
same show, will certainty help make sure everything gets done. It w﻿as﻿
certainly a great read that I will be recommending to my friends and
peers!"﻿ - Joe Naftal

﻿ "Extremely well done text giving great insight to the job of the
Assistant and Associate Lighting Designer. Great reference material for
all skill levels."﻿ - Kevin Griffin

Great Insider View!,July 20, 2014 ( 5 stars )

﻿ "Amazingly put together book. The ALD Toolkit gives an insider's
perspective on the career as an Assistant or Associate Lighting
Designer. Anne really cares that her readers know what world they are
going into and provides a book of essential knowledge to help you
survive in it.
"﻿ - Giovanni Salinas